Harry

I call that the "Craig Jones effect"

@BillySee58 is correct -- Plantin is the other one plus the 2 juco's.

DENTON - North Texas signed one of its highest-rated classes since recruiting services started grading prospects, on the first day of the early signing period for college football. The Mean Green inked 23 recruits Wednesday for its 2019 signing class, 11 on offense and 12 on defense, the majority of which are rated 3-star prospects. ESPN graded 17 of the signees as 3-star, 247Sports graded 20 as 3-star, and the more conservative Rivals graded 10 prospects as 3-star. Add one more 3-star signee, a graduate transfer who is not graded this year but was a 3-star prospect out of high school. All three services ranked the North Texas class as No. 1 in Conference USA and among the best of schools from the Group of 5 conferences. "The North Texas football program definitely got a lot better today," Mean Green coach Seth Littrell said. "I feel like it was a great day." The 23 signings fill the Mean Green's available scholarships. "We want everyone to sign early and be a part of this family," Littrell said. "We sent 23 scholarships out and we got all of them back." The approach to recruiting of past North Texas football regimes was to focus on those players largely ignored by Power 5 programs. No longer. Littrell and his staff adopted an aggressive strategy, going toe-to-toe with schools from the Big 12, Big 10, SEC, ACC, Pac 12 and perennially bowl-bound Group of 5 teams and making offers a plethora of 4- and 3-star athletes. That game plan is paying off. North Texas scored recruiting victories over TCU, Texas Tech, SMU, West Virginia, Nebraska, Oklahoma State, Houston, Kansas, Syracuse, Indiana, Virginia, Louisville, Memphis, Oregon State, Northwestern, Maryland, San Diego State, Army, Navy, Air Force, and C-USA schools. This year marks a significant rise in UNT's recent returns as Littrell builds recruiting momentum. The 2017 class was rated No. 115 in the nation with six 3-star recruits by 247Sports and No. 94 with four 3-stars by Rivals. Last year, UNT's class was up to No. 102 with 12 3-stars according to 247Sports and No. 93 with six 3-stars per Rivals. ESPN graded none of the UNT recruits in either year as 3-star. But the 2019 class is garnering rave reviews from the recruiting services. Rivals ranked the Mean Green's class No. 55 in the nation and 247Sports ranked North Texas No. 62. Both services grade the UNT class as one of the top classes of Group of 5 programs. ESPN only ranks the top 40 programs nationally, and no Group of 5 program cracked that level. 2019 North Texas Early Signing Class High School Signees Name Pos. Ht. Wt. Hometown (High School) Oscar Adaway III RB 6’0” 208 North Little Rock, Arkansas (North Little Rock HS) Asher Alberding TE 6’4” 230 Houston, Texas (Clear Lake HS) John Brunner OL 6’5” 300 Brock, Texas (Brock HS) Daxton Byers OL 6’5” 295 Edmond, Oklahoma (Deer Creek HS) Chris Cassidy OL 6’4” 275 Angleton, Texas (Angleton HS) Leandre Davis DB 5’10” 190 Rosenberg, Texas (Terry HS) Kenneth Dotson DL 6’3” 255 Houston, Texas (Lamar HS) DeShawn Gaddie DB 6’0” 170 Arlington, Texas (Lamarl HS) Kealon Jackson WR 5’9” 163 Pearland, Texas (Shadow Creek HS) Taylor Jacobs LB 6’2” 215 Grand Prairie, Texas (South Grand Prairie HS) Will Kuehne QB 6’1” 190 Owasso, Oklahoma (Owasso HS) Khatib Lyles WR 6’2” 190 El Paso, Texas (Parkland HS) Dorian Morris DB 5’10” 162 Mesquite, Texas (Poteet HS) Gabriel Murphy LB 6’2” 215 Dallas, Texas (Bishop Lynch HS) Grayson Murphy LB 6’2” 215 Dallas, Texas (Bishop Lynch HS) Jevin Murray DB 5’11” 175 Pearland, Texas (Shadow Creek HS) Deonte Simpson WR 6’0” 192 Beaumont, Texas (West Brook HS) Jimmy Walker DL 6’3” 255 Houston, Texas (Lutheran North HS) Damon Ward WR 6’0” 192 Beaumont, Texas (West Brook HS) Kevin Wood LB 6’0” 200 Converse, Texas (Judson HS) Junior College/Grad Transfers Name Pos. Ht. Wt. Hometown (Previous School) D’Andre Plantin OL 6’5” 301 Norcross, Georgia (Virginia Tech) David Sow DL 6’4” 240 Dallas, Texas (Navarro CC) Quinn Whitlock DB 6’0” 195 Pinola, Mississippi (Copiah-Lincoln CC) High School Signees Oscar Adaway III | RB | 6’0" | 208 | North Little Rock, Arkansas (North Little Rock HS) Rated a 3-star recruit by ESPN, 247Sports and 247Sports Composite, and a 2-star recruit by Rivals. Ranked the No. 95 running back in the nation and the No. 9 recruit in Arkansas by ESPN. Ranked the No. 100 running back in the nation and No. 12 recruit in Arkansas by 247Sports Composite. Ranked the No. 69 running back in the nation and No. 11 recruit in Arkansas by 247Sports. As a senior, had 139 rushes for 953 yards and 12 touchdowns; and had 42 receptions for 656 yards and six touchdowns. Received offers from Colorado State, Southern Miss, Arkansas-Pine Bluff, Central Arkansas, Eastern Illinois, Indiana State, Southeast Missouri State, Tennessee-Martin and Texas State. Asher Alberding | TE | 6'4" | 230 | Houston, Texas (Clear Lake HS) | @Asher_Alb89 Rated a 3-star recruit by ESPN, 247Sports, Rivals and 247Sports Composite. Ranked the No. 24 tight end in the nation and No. 145 recruit in Texas by ESPN. Ranked the No. 64 tight end in the nation and No. 205 recruit in Texas by 247Sports Composite. Ranked the No. 57 tight end in the nation and No. 188 recruit in Texas by 247Sports. As a senior, split time on offense and defense. On offense, had three receptions for 80 yards and a touchdown; on defense, had 27 solo tackles, 15 assists, seven tackles for loss and six QB hurries. Recorded at 4.99 seconds in the 40-yard dash, 4.46 seconds in the 20-yard shuttle and 32.5 inches in vertical jump according to ESPN. Recorded at 4.65 seconds in the 40-yard dash and 4.25 seconds in the shuttle according to HUDL. Also competes in 200- and 400-meter dashes and discus in high school. Received offers from Air Force, Kansas, Louisiana-Monroe, Rice, Texas State and Yale. John Brunner | OL | 6'5" | 300 | Brock, Texas (Brock HS) | @JohnBrunner66 Rated a 3-star recruit by ESPN and 247Sports Composite and a 2-star recruit by 247Sports and Rivals. Ranked the No. 126 offensive tackle in the nation and the No. 205 recruit in Texas by ESPN. Ranked the No. 203 offensive tackle in the nation and the No. 362 recruit in Texas by 247Sports Composite. Ranked the No. 223 offensive tackle in the nation and the No. 356 recruit in Texas by 247Sports. In 2017, was Texas All State first team (Padilla), second team (TSWA), All District first team, and All County Offensive MVP for Parker County. Recorded at 5.5 seconds in the 40-yard dash, 330-pound bench press, 550-pound squat according to HUDL. Received offers from Abilene Christian, Houston Baptist, Incarnate Word, Stephen F. Austin and Texas State. Daxton Byers | OL | 6'5" | 295 | Edmond, Oklahoma (Deer Creek HS) | @ByersDaxton Rated a 3-star recruit by ESPN and 247Sports, and a 2-star recruit by Rivals. Ranked the No. 113 offensive tackle in the nation and the No. 15 recruit in Oklahoma by ESPN. Ranked the No. 147 offensive tackle in the nation and the No. 21 recruit in Oklahoma by 247Sports. As a senior, was part of offensive line that paved the way for 1,451 yards rushing and 14 touchdowns. Recorded at 5.26 seconds in the 40-yard dash, 4.94 seconds in the shuttle, 315-pound bench press according to HUDL. Received offers from Navy, Ohio, Columbia, Missouri State, Eastern Michigan, Texas State, Central Oklahoma and Western Illinois. Chris Cassidy | OL | 6'4" | 275 | Angleton, Texas (Angleton HS) | @cacassidy70 Rated a 3-star recruit by ESPN and 247Sports Composite, and a 2-star recruit by 247Sports, and Rivals. Ranked the No. 103 offensive guard in the nation and the No. 231 recruit in Texas by ESPN. Ranked the No. 204 offensive tackle in the nation and the No. 368 recruit in Texas by 247Sports Composite. Ranked the No. 225 offensive tackle in the nation and the No. 368 recruit in Texas by 247Sports. As a senior, was part of offensive line that paved the way for 3,138 yards rushing and 38 touchdowns. Recorded at 5.2 seconds in the 40-yard dash, 4.65 seconds in the shuttle, 365-pound bench press, 605-pound squat according to HUDL. Received offers from Air Force, Louisiana-Lafayette, Houston Baptist and McNeese State. Leandre Davis | DB | 5'10" | 190 | Rosenberg, Texas (Terry HS) | @TUDADDY_ Rated a 3-star recruit by ESPN and 247Sports Composite and a 2-star recruit by 247Sports and Rivals. Ranked the No. 219 recruit in Texas by ESPN. Ranked the No. 218 safety in the nation and the No. 445 recruit in Texas by 247Sports Composite. Ranked the No. 209 safety in the nation and the No. 362 recruit in Texas by 247Sports. Was a three-time 1-5A first-team All-District selection (2015-17). Recorded at 4.54 seconds in the 40-yard dash, 4.13 seconds in the shuttle, 225-pound bench press according to HUDL. Also competes in the 100- and 200-meter dashes, 4x100 and 4x200 relays, and the high jump in high school. Received offers from Army, Houston Baptist, Lamar, McNeese State, Northwestern State, Texas Southern and Texas State. Kenneth Dotson | DL | 6'3" | 255 | Houston, Texas (Lamar HS) | @kdotsontd Rated a 3-star recruit by ESPN, 247Sports, Rivals and 247Sports Composite. Ranked the No. 188 defensive end in the nation and the No. 226 recruit in Texas by ESPN. Ranked the No. 99 defensive end in the nation and No. 197 recruit in Texas by 247Sports Composite. Ranked the No. 131 defensive end in the nation and No. 253 recruit in Texas by 247Sports. As a senior, played in only one game and had one solo tackle, three assisted, 1.5 tackles for loss, one sack, and one QB hurry. As a junior, had 12 solo tackles, 37 assists, seven tackles for loss, two sacks, one QB hurry and one fumble recovery. Recorded at 4.9 seconds in the 40-yard dash, 38-inch vertical leap, 340-pound bench press according to HUDL. Also competes in 110-meter hurdles, 300-meter hurdles, triple jump and 4x200 relay in high school. Received an offer from Massachusets. DeShawn Gaddie | DB | 6'0" | 170 | Arlington, Texas (Lamar HS) | @DGaddie2 Rated a 3-star recruit by ESPN, 247Sports, Rivals, and 247Sports Composite. Ranked the No. 140 cornerback in the nation and the No. 220 recruit in Texas by ESPN. Ranked the No. 101 cornerback in the nation and the No. 134 recruit in Texas by 247Sports and 247Sports Composite. Ranked the No. 84 cornerback by Rivals. Ranked the No. 51 recruit in Dallas-Fort Worth by the Dallas Morning News. As a senior, had 23 solo tackles, 34 assisted, four tackles for loss, five passes defended, three interceptions, two forced fumbles and one blocked field goal. Also ran track in high school, in the high jump, long jump and 200- and 400-meter dashes. Recorded at 4.43 seconds in the 40-yard dash, 4.3 seconds in the shuttle, and 35-inch vertical leap according to HUDL. Received offers from Air Force, SMU, Wyoming, San Diego State, Tulane, UTEP, Louisiana Lafayette, Louisiana-Monroe, New Mexico, Texas State and Southern Illinois. Kealon Jackson | WR | 5'9" | 163 | Pearland, Texas (Shadow Creek HS) | @Action1Jackson_ Rated a 3-star recruit by ESPN, 247Sports, Rivals and 247Sports Composite. Ranked the No. 163 wide receiver in the nation and the No. 193 recruit in Texas by ESPN. Ranked the No. 207 wide receiver in the nation and the No. 240 recruit in Texas by 247Sports Composite. Ranked the No. 268 wide receiver in the nation and the No. 281 recruit in Texas by 247Sports. As a senior, had 51 receptions for 871 yards and seven touchdowns; and 19 punt returns for 271 yards and two touchdowns. Recorded at 4.41 seconds in the 40-yard dash, 4.13 seconds in the shuttle, 33 inch vertical jump and 265-pound bench press according to HUDL. Also competes in the 100-meter dash in high school. Received offers from West Virginia, Houston, Florida Atlantic, Hawaii, Kansas, Louisiana-Lafayette, Louisiana-Monroe, Southern Miss, South Alabama, Tulsa, UNLV and Howard. Taylor Jacobs | LB | 6'2" | 215 | Grand Prairie, Texas (South Grand Prairie HS) | @TaylorJacobs3 Rated a 3-star recruit by ESPN, 247Sports, Rivals and 247Sports Composite. Ranked the No. 29 inside linebacker in the nation and the No. 170 recruit in Texas by ESPN. Ranked the No. 74 inside linebacker in the nation and the No. 227 recruit in Texas by 247Sports Composite. Ranked the No. 76 inside linebacker in the nation and the No. 218 recruit in Texas by 247Sports. Ranked the No. 96 recruit in Dallas-Fort Worth by the Dallas Morning News. In 2017, was 7-6A first-team All District. Recorded at 4.47 seconds in the 40-yard dash, 10.7 seconds in the 100-meter dash, 35-inch vertical jump and 280-pound bench press according to HUDL. Also competes in 110- and 300-meter hurdles, 4x200 and 4x400 relays, and 200- and 400-meter dashes in high school. Received offers from Texas Tech, McNeese State and Arkansas Tech. Will Kuehne | QB | 6'1" | 190 | Owasso, Oklahoma (Owasso HS) | @Will_Kuehne17 Rated a 3-star recruit by ESPN, 247Sports and 247Sports Composite, and a 2-star recruit by Rivals. Ranked the No. 45 duel-threat quarterback in the nation and the No. 17 recruit in Oklahoma by ESPN. Ranked the No. 70 pro-style quarterback in the nation and the No. 22 recruit in Oklahoma by 247Sports Composite. Ranked the No. 71 pro-style quarterback in the nation and the No. 22 recruit in Oklahoma by 247Sports. Named first team All-State by The Oklahoman. As a senior, completed 204 of 359 passes for 2,569 yards and 24 touchdowns with seven interceptions; and had 97 rushes for 459 yards and five touchdowns. Recorded at 4.66 seconds in the 40-yard dash, 4.32 seconds in the shuttle according to HUDL. Received offers from Maryland, New Mexico, Arkansas State, Brown, Columbia, Cornell and Dartmouth. Khatib Lyles | WR | 6'2" | 190 | El Paso, Texas (Parkland HS) | @khatiblyles Rated a 3-star recruit by ESPN, 247Sports and 247Sports Composite, and a 2-star recruit by Rivals. Ranked the No. 168 wide receiver in the nation and No. 204 recruit in Texas by ESPN. Ranked the No. 144 wide receiver in the nation and No. 159 recruit in Texas by 247Sports Composite. Ranked the No. 157 wide receiver in the nation and No. 163 recruit in Texas by 247Sports. Received offers from Texas Tech, Utah, Indiana, Kansas, Air Force, New Mexico, Southern Mis, UTEP, Abilene Christian, Columbia, Dartmouth, Yale, Liberty, Louisiana-Monroe and McNeese State. Dorian Morris | DB | 5'10" | 163 | Mesquite, Texas (Poteet HS) | @dm6__ Rated a 3-star recruit by 247Sports, Rivals and 247Sports Composite and a 2-star recruit by ESPN. Ranked the No. 147 athlete in the nation and the No. 236 recruit in Texas by ESPN. Ranked the No. 175 cornerback in the nation and the No. 230 recruit in Texas by 247Sports Composite. Ranked the No. 175 cornerback in the nation and the No. 223 recruit in Texas by 247Sports. As a senior, played in only six games and had eight solo tackles, six assisted, eight passes defended and one interception. Also competes in the 100-, 200- and 400-meter dashes, 4x100, 4x200 and 4x400 relays in high school. Recorded at 4.45 seconds in the 40-yard dash and 10.69 seconds in the 100-meter dash according to HUDL. Received offers from SMU, Navy, Louisiana Tech, Houston Baptist, Liberty, Tulane and Texas State. Gabriel Murphy | LB | 6'2" | 215 | Dallas, Texas (Bishop Lynch HS) | @GabrielMurphy_ Rated a 3-star recruit by ESPN, 247Sports, Rivals and 247Sports Composite. Ranked the No. 114 outside linebacker in the nation and the No. 202 recruit in Texas by ESPN. Ranked the No. 84 outside linebacker in the nation and the No. 142 recruit in Texas by 247Sports. Ranked the No. 78 outside linebacker in the nation and the No. 150 recruit in Texas by 247Sports Composite. Ranked the No. 66 recruit in Dallas-Fort Worth by the Dallas Morning News. As a senior, had 35 solo tackles, 54 assisted, 11 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, 15 QB hurries, two forced fumbles and one interception. Received offers from Air Force, Connecticut, Navy, Texas State, Tulane and UTSA. Grayson Murphy | LB | 6'2" | 215 | Dallas, Texas (Bishop Lynch HS) | @GraysonMurph_ Rated a 3-star recruit by ESPN, 247Sports, Rivals and 247Sports Composite. Ranked the No. 43 inside linebacker in the nation and No. 203 recruit in Texas by ESPN. Ranked the No. 92 inside linebacker in the nation and No. 157 recruit in Texas by 247Sports. Ranked the No. 79 inside linebacker in the nation and the No. 151 recruit in Texas by 247Sports Composite. Ranked the No. 70 recruit in Dallas-Fort Worth by the Dallas Morning News. As a senior, had 35 solo tackles, 44 assisted, 15 tackles for loss, 5 sacks, 12 QB hurries, six forced fumbles and three interceptions. Received offers from Air Force, Connecticut, Navy, Texas State, Tulane and UTSA. Jevin Murray | DB | 5'11" | 175 | Pearland, Texas (Shadow Creek HS) | @JevinMurray Rated a 3-star recruit by 247Sports, Rivals and 247Sports Composite. Ranked the No. 136 safety in the nation and the No. 224 recruit in Texas by 247Sports Composite. Ranked the No. 138 safety in the nation and the No. 203 recruit in Texas by 247Sports. As a senior, had 23 solo tackles, seven assisted, four tackles for loss, six passes defended, one fumble recovery and two forced fumbles. Received offers from Florida Atlantic, Louisville, Memphis, New Mexico, Oregon State, Southern Miss, Army, Arkansas State, Louisiana-Lafayette, Louisiana-Monroe, South Alabama, Tulane and UTSA. Deonte Simpson | WR | 6'0" | 192 | Beaumont, Texas (West Brook HS) | @SimpsonDeonte Rated a 3-star recruit by ESPN, 247Sports and 247Sports Composite. Rated a 2-star recruit by Rivals. Ranked the No. 110 wide receiver in the nation and the No. 118 recruit in Texas by ESPN. Ranked the No. 248 wide receiver in the nation and the No. 297 recruit in Texas by 247Sports Composite. Ranked the No. 237 wide receiver in the nation and the No. 248 recruit in Texas by 247Sports. As a senior, had 50 receptions for 839 yards and 10 touchdowns and 21 rushes for 215 yards and two touchdowns. Recorded at 4.6 seconds in the 40-yard dash, 31-inch vertical leap, 245-pound bench press according to HUDL. Received offers from Air Force, Cornell, Northwestern, Southern Miss, Lamar, Louisiana-Monroe, Tulsa, Tulane, Sam Houston State and Texas State. Jimmy Walker | DL | 6'3" | 255 | Houston, Texas (Lutheran North HS) Rated a 3-star recruit by 247Sports, and a 2-star recruit by Rivals. Ranked the No. 145 defensive end in the nation and No. 305 recruit in Texas by 247Sports. In 2017, was named to VYPE's All-Houston area private school team Recorded at 4.8 seconds in the 40-yard dash, 4.1 seconds in the shuttle, 265-pound bench press according to HUDL. Received offers from New Mexico, Tulane and UTSA. Damon Ward | WR | 6'0" | 192 | Beaumont, Texas (West Brook HS) | @TheDamonWardJr Rated a 3-star recruit by ESPN, 247Sports, Rivals and 247Sports Composite. Ranked the No. 177 wide receiver in the nation and the No. 220 recruit in Texas by ESPN. Ranked the No. 184 wide receiver in the nation and the No. 201 recruit in Texas by 247Sports Composite. Ranked the No. 165 wide receiver in the nation and the No. 173 recruit in texas by 247Sports. As a senior, played in only two games and had three receptions for 40 yards. Also competes in long jump and triple jump in high school. Received offers from Louisiana-Monroe, New Mexico State, Southern Miss, UTEP and Sam Houston State. Kevin Wood | LB | 6'0" | 200 | Converse, Texas (Judson HS) | @KevinWoodJr_ Rated a 3-star recruit by ESPN, 247Sports and 247Sports Composite. Ranked the No. 47 inside linebacker in the nation and the No. 226 recruit in Texas by ESPN. Ranked the No. 97 inside linebacker in the nation and the No. 303 recruit in Texas by 247Sports Composite. Ranked the No. 60 inside linebacker in the nation and the No. 185 recruit in Texas by 247Sports. As a senior, had 73 solo tackles, 34 assisted, 15 tackles for loss, 17 QB hurries, four sacks, one forced fumble, one blocked punt, one interception and two passes defended. Recorded at 4.65 seconds in the 40-yard dash, 4.2 seconds in the shuttle, 33-inch vertical leap, 245-pound bench press according to HUDL. As a senior, had 78 solo tackles, 38 assisted, 15 tackles for loss, 19 QB hurries, four sacks, one forced fumble, one blocked punt and one interception. As a junior, had 113 tackles, seven for loss, three sacks and two interceptions and was named first-team All-District 27-6A. Received offers from Liberty, New Mexico State and Texas State. Junior College/Graduate Transfers D’Andre Plantin | OL | 6'5" | 301 | Norcross, Georgia (Virginia Tech) | @ERA_of_MOAM56 Graduated from Virginia Tech in December and is transferring to UNT. Will participate in spring drills and be able to play in 2019 as a redshirt senior. Rated a 3-star recruit by 247Sports. Ranked the No. 123 offensive tackle in the nation and No. 111 recruit in Georgia by 247Sports. Ranked the No. 134 offensive tackle in the nation by ESPN. Ranked the No. 59 defensive tackle in the country by Scout. As a senior in high school, was first-team all-region selection. Majoring in criminology. Father, Tony Plantin, was a defensive tackle at Clemson. David Sow | DL | 6'4" | 240 | Dallas, Texas (Navarro CC) | @DaveSow16 Rated a 3-star recruit by 247Sports and 247Sports Composite. Rated a 2-star recruit by Rivals. Rated the No. 143 JUCO recruit in the nation, the No. 11 weak-side defensive end and No. 10 in Texas by 247Sports Composite. Ranked the No. 131 JUCO recruit in the nation, the No. 9 weak-side defensive end and No. 10 in Texas by 247Sports. Received offers from Oklahoma State, Colorado State, San Diego State, New Mexico, South Alabama and Liberty. Quinn Whitlock | DB | 6'0" | 195 | Pinola, Mississippi (Copiah-Lincoln CC) | @De_Juwan3 In 10 games in 2018, had 28 solo tackles, 16 assists, 2.5 tackles for loss, six pass breakups, one interception and one fumble recovery. Had 12 tackles, including seven solo, and three pass breakups against Hinds CC on Oct. 11. Article Courtesy UNT Athletic Department

I agree that Woolridge had an amazing game. There were so many other players who really had nice games, Zach, Mike, Jordan, Rose and more... this is the best TEAM we have had in a LONG time.

Lobo's don't seem happy about the game: New Mexico Lobo message board: https://thelobolair.com/community/lobo-basketball/n-texas-game-thread/paged/5/#post-1020600

So proud of this team!

Wow Mean Green look super tonight!

Yes they lost a lot of D-1 players due to graduation this season and it affected his stats for sure. They win the state championship last year. He’s a great player - glad we landed him!

https://newsok.com/article/5617918/the-oklahomans-106th-all-state-football-first-team-selections?custom_click=rss&utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

I second this motion. City of Albuquerque was a great host and only wish we could have provided them with a better game.

Agree with you, but wanting to get better and analyzing what we need to do is part of being a fan. You can believe that the program is heading in the right direction and still look for areas of improvement.

I think Littrell got burned on the juco route in 2017 when 2 difference makers did not get on the field (LB William Johnson and OL Cody Hayes). Our recruiting philosophy since has been predominately high school and a few jucos and transfers mixed in. UAB and Utah State were the two toughest teams we faced this season and both of them are chocked full of jucos and transfers. We have chronicled the UAB situation at length already. Take a look at the Utah State roster here. My point is, yes this is an outstanding recruiting class we have right now. Is that the best way to go for a G5? Time will tell. For instance, we all know that our offensive line HAS got to improve and thinking that it will next season with one 4-year transfer and 3-4 high school guys is wishful thinking. If we had better talent on the roster this past season than why would they be on the bench? If I am Littrell I go to Chuck Langston and say look at what we saw against USU and UAB... what do we need to do to match or better those OL? Is high school and development the best long term strategy to get improvement? Or should we be looking to sign more juco's? Tell me your plan and what you need to execute it and be held accountable to it. I am actually torn on this because I do believe in the long run developing through high schools is the best way but it is more difficult to do that at certain positions. Perhaps we should be looking at handling it differently at certain positions.

Heading into the season these two games seemed to be the biggest challenges we had along with FAU and to a lessor extent UAB in conference of course. When we excelled in both of these games it felt amazing. I think the prospect of going undefeated - while always difficult - was within reach and not just a pipe dream. La. Tech was the game that exposed our weaknesses and in many ways our opponents took that blueprint and used it effectively against us the remainder of the season. McCarney left this place a mess and it will take time to rebuild. This years recruiting class is a great first step but it will not happen overnight.